Don't Forget

We have now turned the page from Christmas and we begin to move toward a new year that will be full of its own opportunities and challenges.  The gifts have been opened.  The final left-overs will be devoured in the next few days.  The naps have been a time of refreshing and re-vitalizing our minds as well as bodies.  Our nation will begin returning the gifts that are either the wrong size, the wrong color or in some cases simply the wrong gift for us.  We will take another look at the decorations in our house and in some cases outside of our house and realize that we need to take them down and store them away for another year.  Each of these above mentioned tasks does not leave us with that same "Christmas feeling" that we just experienced on Monday and Tuesday of this week.  Yet, they are a part of our Christmas preparation and celebration.  Let me add, I trust that each of you enjoyed a most wonderful Christmas celebration with your family and friends.  I prayed for those of you who have faced the death of a loved one this year and you were challenged to celebrate your first Christmas without them being present.  I truly believe that Emmanuel was present with you during those difficult moments.

 

But the Lord reminded me of something as I prayed last night.  I sensed that He was reminding me not to forget Him and not forget His presence that we have experienced in 2012.  He also reminded me that human beings have the ability to forget.  We forget where we laid our keys or glasses.  We forget where we parked our car in the parking lot.  We forget our spouse's birthday or anniversary.  And yes, it is sad to report but we do forget God.  Forgetfulness can even make its appearance in our spiritual lives.  Do you remember that God reminded Israel not to forget Him when they made their entrance into the Promised Land?  You can read this warning in Deuteronomy chapter 8.  We are preparing to enter 2013.  We can not afford to forget the goodness and mercy of God that has been shared with us in this past year.  We can not afford to forget the grace of God as we faced those moments of despair and temptation in this past year.  We can not afford to forget the love of God that was present when we stumbled and fell because of the heavy load from the cares of this life that we were carrying.  Simply put. WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO FORGET GOD AND HIS MANY PROVISIONS AS WE PREPARE TO ENTER THE NEW YEAR OF 2013!